10 I answered, “Who would listenif I spoke to them and warned them?Their ears are so closedthat they cannot hear!Indeed, what the Lord says is offensive to them.They do not like it at all.
11 I am as full of anger as you are, Lord,I am tired of trying to hold it in.”The Lord answered, “Vent it, then, on the children who play in the streetand on the young men who are gathered together.Husbands and wives are to be included,as well as the old and those who are advanced in years.
12 Their houses will be turned over to othersas will their fields and their wives.For I will unleash my poweragainst those who live in this land,”says the Lord.
13 “That is because, from the least important to the most important of them,all of them are greedy for dishonest gain.Prophets and priests alike,all of them practice deceit.
14 They offer only superficial help for the harm my people have suffered.They say, ‘Everything will be all right!’But everything is not all right!
15 Are they ashamed because they have done such shameful things?No, they are not at all ashamed.They do not even know how to blush!So they will die, just like others have died.They will be brought to ruin when I punish them,”says the Lord.
16 The Lord said to his people:“You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path.Ask where the old, reliable paths are.Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it.If you do, you will find rest for your souls.”But they said, “We will not follow it!”